Selected Scottish charities are to benefit from an almost £700,000 injection of cash from the Scottish Government to expand and improve the information and advice they provide to thousands of disabled people and carers.
The money will help organisations that work with people who have physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and sensory impairments. It supports the goals of the Scottish Government’s national Self-Directed Support Strategy, with the aim of ensuring people are assisted in their desire to live as independently, for as long as possible, in their own homes and communities.
The strategy, along with the Self-Directed Support Bill, is part of the Scottish Government’s plan to give service users more control over the services they receive, similar to the personalisation agenda in England and Wales.
Public health minister Michael Matheson said: “This funding will enable organisations to work with more people, from different backgrounds and communities, for longer periods of time and in more creative ways. This is vital in supporting people who receive social care services to have a real say in how the services they need to live independent lives should be delivered. “For example, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCiL) currently offers a range of support to 600 disabled people receiving social care services in order that they can live more independent and equal lives. With this new funding from the Scottish Government, GCiL will be able to support even more people, in more communities across the city and beyond.”
